yajanti ca yajanti te devān yajairyajibhirdadāti ।
“And those who perform sacrifice, they worship and give to the gods with sacrifices.”
Structure
yajanti ca yajanti te devān yajaiḥ yajibhiḥ dadāti
te yajibhiḥ yajaiḥ devān yajanti ca te devān yajairyajibhirdadāti
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yajanti | yajanti | verb | √yaj · laṭ-present · third | they sacrifice |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| yajanti | yajanti | verb | √yaj · laṭ-present · third | they sacrifice |
| te | te | pronoun | nominative · plural · masculine | they |
| devān | devān | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | the gods |
| yajaiḥ | yajaiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with sacrifices |
| yajibhiḥ | yajibhiḥ | noun | instrumental · plural · masculine | with sacrificers |
| dadāti | dadāti | verb | √dā · laṭ-present · third | he gives |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, Shankara interprets this verse as an opportunity to underscore the non-dual nature of reality. He notes that the actions described, such as worship and sacrifice, are ultimately meant to reveal the true nature of the self (ātman) as being one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). The phrase 'yajanti ca yajanti' suggests a continuous process of sacrifice, which Shankara sees as a metaphor for the constant relinquishing of one's ego and empirical self, leading to the realization of the identity of brahman and ātman. This verse, in the context of the larger text, points towards the idea that all actions, including those of worship and sacrifice, are ultimately geared towards understanding and realizing this non-dual truth.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): From a Vaiṣṇava perspective, particularly through the lens of Rāmānujācārya, this verse highlights the relationship between the individual soul (jīva) and the Supreme Lord (Īśvara). The act of worship and sacrifice described is seen as a means of expressing devotion and surrender to God. Rāmānujācārya would interpret 'yajanti ca yajanti' as emphasizing the necessity of continuous and dedicated worship, where the jīva offers everything to Īśvara, recognizing the Lord as the ultimate recipient and beneficiary of all actions. This understanding underscores the Vaiṣṇava concept of prapatti, or total surrender, as the path to liberation, where the jīva's actions are guided by love and devotion towards the Supreme.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often emphasized the practical and universal application of spiritual principles. He would likely interpret this verse as a call to action and service, where 'yajanti ca yajanti' implies a continuous and selfless effort to contribute to the greater good. The act of sacrifice and worship is not merely ritualistic but a means to cultivate selflessness, compassion, and unity with all existence. This verse, in the context of contemporary life, encourages individuals to engage in activities that benefit society and promote harmony, reflecting Vivekānanda's vision of a more compassionate and equitable world. It emphasizes the importance of service and the realization of one's potential as a means to transcend individual limitations and achieve a higher state of consciousness.